Toby Bishop, Airs Beneath The Moon

Airs Beneath The Moon

Toby Bishop

Ace, January 2007, $6.99, 336 pp.

ISBN 0441014620

On Deeping Farm in the uplands, Larkyn Hamley finds a horse in a rundown condition and nurses it back to health, not knowing that it is pregnant. Char goes into a difficult labor until she gives birth to a mare Tup who has wings and therefore is technically the property of the duke of OC. The winged mares are the duchy's only defense if war ever comes to the land. Larkyn isn't thinking of politics, as she cares for and bonds with Tup until the Horse Mistress Philippa Winter comes to the farm.

She knows at first glance that Tup and Larkyn are imprinted, and nothing short of death can part them. Both must go to the Academy of Air to train, which will be hard on Larkyn because the girls in training will see her as a country bumpkin, and Tup looks like a mongrel of different types of flying horses. When they arrive at the Academy, the duke's son takes a special interest in Tup, which is an ill omen because the diabolical heir wants something, and with his father dying very few will be able to say no to him. Larkyn plans to outwit him once she figures out what ever deed he plans.

Toby Bishop, known to her fans as Louise Marley has written a classic fantasy with an evil duke vs. a pretty strong willed female, who with allies helping her, outwits her enemies. There is plenty of action in this sweet adult fairy tale, and teens that like fantasy will also enjoy this great tale. The support cast plays an important part in this fine tale, starring a heroine and her little Pegasus.